Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Happy Halloween! I love Halloween,
it's the one night a year when its OK to become someone else; to try on a
different persona, to imitate someone famous, someone that was critical to the
world's history or just be a zombie or vampire. It's fun to step out of our
lives and do something bold on the one night when you most likely won't be
criticized for your decision. And you can get candy. There are lots of ways to
celebrate All Hallows Eve (The evening before All Saints Day) in the Valley. Check
out some of the events listings below.

I had another crazy week of attending area events.

Thursday I saw the play "Fly by Night" performed by the Yoh Players at Woodstock Union High School. The music was well done and the set very intriguing.

At their Oct. 19 meeting The Board
voted to raise the punch ticket price to $3.50 per punch effective October 26,
2015. Town Manager Jim Mullen informed the Board that trash disposal revenue
has decreased by 13% while the cost of recycling has gone up by 17%. These
circumstances are being driven in part by Act 148 (mandatory recycling law) and
the economic slowdown in China.
The FY16 budget called for an increase in the punch ticket price from $2.50 to
$3.25. However, based on projections provided by Town Accountant, Colin Butler,
an increase to $3.50 will be needed to keep the solid waste budget from ending
the year with a sizeable deficit. (Even at $3.50, the budget will still end up
with a deficit of $2,403.)

WeathersfieldSchool News:

Chess Club Returns Starting Dec 7 grades K-4 will meet on Mondays
and grades 5-8 will meet on Tuesdays during their lunch and recess periods in
the school library to play chess. Let the school Library Media Teacher Mrs.
Smith know if your child is interested in learning/playing. Late Bus will run beginning Nov. 2. The Route schedule will be: 3:45 Bus leaves
WS- travel Route 5 to Route 131 Stops only at the following locations: 3:52
Wheeler Camp Road, 3:56 Turnout on Route 131, near Henry Gould Road 4:00 WWVFD
turn onto Route 106, 4:10 Former Perkinsville School. If you want the bus
driver to only drop your child off when an adult is there, you must write a
note to the school so we have it on file. VT DCF does not have an age limit
attached to children being dropped off at a bus stop alone. Many children
across the state do not have an adult present when they are dropped off at
their bus stop. That being said, Student Transportation of America and WS
absolutely want to honor all parents who want this safety precaution in place.

Obituary:

Susan Wickenden Hunter died peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 23 in Amherst, Mass.
due to complications of a neurological disease. Susan was born on Jan. 12,
1948, daughter of Richard H. Wickenden of Toledo,
Ohio, and Katherine E. Menton of Montclair, N.J.
She graduated from WellelseyCollege in 1969, in the
same class as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton – a figure Susan would later
admire for her political positions and feminist conviction. Susan married
Graham C. Hunter II at TaborAcademy’s Wickenden
Chapel in June 1969.

After earning a Master’s degree in
Library Science from University of Texas in Austin, Susan
and Graham returned to New England, where Susan worked as children’s librarian
at the Fiske Free Library in Claremont,
N.H. In 1984, she was hired as
librarian at RiversideMiddle School, a position
she held until her retirement in 2012. Susan was a devoted mother to her sons
Matthew and Patrick, and a loving wife to her husband Graham who predeceased
her in 2011. A Memorial Service will be held for Susan on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 3
p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield. All are welcome to attend. In
lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Weathersfield Proctor Library, PO Box 519 - 5181
Route 5, Ascutney, VT05030.

Notice of Office closure:

Town Clerk's Office-Nov. 18 and 19 for the New EnglandCities
and Town Clerk's Association Conference.

Halloween Events:

“The Rocky Horror Show” A live musical directed by local
actress/director Lanni Luce West, and features a cast and crew who represent
some of the UpperValley’s finest talent.
Performances are Oct. 30, 31 at the Woodstock Town Hall Theatre. For
more information and tickets go topentanglearts.org or
call 802-457-3891. (I saw this last week and it was pretty fantastic!)

Pumpkins In The Park: On Saturday, Oct. 31 at the HartlandRecreationCenter
from 5-8 p.m. Free. Bring your own carved pumpkin for the carving contest,
storytelling, fun music and hayrides. Don’t worry about a trick or treat bag —
you can decorate one here! Head out to trick or treat anytime but make sure
you’re back for the famous costume parade at 7 p.m.! Decorations are not scary!
This event is geared to all ages!

Graveyard Gala: Hartland Drama Club presents the Graveyard
Gala, a community dance and fundraiser, Oct. 31 from 7-10 p.m. at the
HartlandElementary School gym. The event will
feature a DJ and dancing, haunted hunt, special dance and costume contests and
much more… sweets and other wicked treats will be available by donation.
Costumes encouraged. Open to all ages, admission is $5 per person, $20 family
maximum. No drop offs. You must come in the company of a parent or other adult
who is willing to assume responsibility for you and will be attending the
event.

Reading 9th Annual Fright Night: Saturday, Oct. 31, 5 to 9
p.m. Join a night of fun, food and games at Reading’s ninth annual Fright Night. Starting
at 5 p.m. Town Hall is pizza in the downstairs dining room. At 6 p.m. is the
parade to the library for costume and carved pumpkins judging. At 6:45 p.m. is
Fright Night upstairs in the Town Hall. At 8 p.m., rock the night away with DJ
Funky, Matt and the Gang. All ages welcome! The town hall will be transformed
into a frightful maze with even more new activities and games. This is a free
event and we welcome children of all ages. Make sure carved pumpkins get to the
steps of the library and don’t forget to put your name on it. Prizes will be
handed out at the library. (I've attended this event for the last couple of
years. The decorations committee and actors really are top, top at this event!)

Veterans Day Celebration Wednesday Nov. 11 11 a.m. VeteransMemorial Park (Perkinsville Green)
Perkinsville. Veterans Day is a day to remember and honor the selfless
dedication of service members, men and women, who have boldly stood in harm’s
way carrying the torch of freedom fighting to protect our abundant way of life.
All are welcome.

Ongoing:

Valley Court Diversion Programs-Volunteer are needed in Weathersfield/Springfield
areas to work with low level offenders in the community. The organization
embraces the principles of restorative justice. As a volunteer, you will hear
participant's stories and help create a restorative contract with them. The
group meets once a month at the Springfield Police Department, your commitment
will require about 3 hours a month. Training is provided. For more information
please visit our website at www.vcdp.org or
call Maureen at 802-295-5078
#10.

Food Shelf The Weathersfield Food Shelf is located at 7303 Route
131 - the former "World of Discovery" daycare. Thanks to the
generosity of their donors, the Weathersfield Food Shelf will now be open every
Thursday from 4-5 p.m.

Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney-FREE sponsored by RSPV- Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin
Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney,
VT. Classes are led by Geraldine
Rudenfeldt. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.

Volunteers in Action (VIA) is looking for volunteer drivers. VIA is
an organization that drives people to doctor's appointments, usually at Mt.AscutneyHospital or DHMC and
occasionally grocery missions. Your mileage is reimbursable. Please
call VIA at (802) 674-5971 ask for Martha or Scottie.

This week Pentangle Arts wraps up its production of The Rocky Horror Show. The live performance encourages audience participation, in fact they theater hands out goodie bags with props and has a screen letting the crowd know when to shout out phrases and to throw things. The show conclude Halloween at midnight with a special performance.

The Yoh Theater Players opened their 2015-2106 season with "Fly By Night" a play set in New York City in 1964 and 1965. A young sandwich maker, Harold McClam (Zac Cannon) meets two sisters from South Dakota Daphne, an actress (Megan Hoffman) and Miriam, a waitress (Kaelee Geno) and falls in love with both.

The play leads up to Great Northeast Blackout on November 9, 1965 and how the lives of a few people in the city become intertwined with tragedies, near tragedies and joy.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Last week I stated that the air was
crisp, well this week it's down right COLD. The past two mornings it's been 20
degrees on our porch and I see in the news that Killington opened a couple of
trails. Who are these people that want to ski in October? I thought October was
a time for leaf peeping, Columbus Day, pumpkins, apple picking, raking leaves,
Trick or Treating...but skiing, WHAT?

I don't know any children who want
to Trick or Treat with their snow suits under their costumes. That's just not
right. Sure a chill to the air is great this time of year. Smokey fires, warm
cider, cozy sweaters but puffy down jackets, mittens and cold fingers and toes
at soccer games just isn't fun.

I know October is a member of the
BRRR months (Septem-BRRR, Octo-BRRR, Novem-BRRR, Decem-BRRR) but we were so
spoiled with those warm temps earlier this month, I just didn't want them to
leave so quickly. Oh well, you can't control the weather. Excuse me while I put
another log into the woodstove.

The foliage was going strong until Tuesday when the wind sent most of the colorful leaves to the ground. Before that happened, I grabbed a few pictures.

Saturday night I went to see "The Weir" in Hartland. Having been to Ireland (https://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/Ireland-2014) I was curious about this play because it's set in a rural Irish Pub. It was well acted, even the accents were spot on! Three more shows coming up this weekend. Check it out!

Coming up: The Yoh Theatre's production of "Fly By Night" and Pentangle'sproduction of "Rocky Horror." Looks like another great weekend of live performances!Have plans for Halloween?

Let me know before Sunday evening 10/25 and I can post your event here for next Wednesday's Blog.

WeathersfieldSchool News:

PTA Elects New Officers The WS PTA met Oct. 6 and elected Wendy
Allen, President, Vice President:
Position remained open, Secretary: Tanya Graves, Treasurer: Shirray Johnson. PTA meetings are
held on the first Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the AP Room. Their next
meeting is Nov. 3.

Panthers Cross Country Runners-The team raced on Oct. 6 against 50
children from area schools that included: Woodstock,
BellowsFalls,
Springfield, Hartland, Thetford and Hartford. Stars on the
girls team: Alicia Ostrom, Grade 6, who came in ninth place with Madeline Hill,
Grade 5 closely finishing behind Alicia. The boys team were led by Zed McNaughton,
Grade 5, taking third place. Other runners finishing were: Nick Lenahan, Grade
6, Reese Sheehan, Grade 5, and Sam Bonds, Grade 6. Go Panthers!

Parent Teacher Conference Sign Up Paperwork for all parent-teacher
conferences, Nov. 19 and Nov. 20, will
go Nov. 6. Parents are asked to fill out and return the paperwork. Every attempt
will be made to have appointment times filled as requested. K-8 teachers will
try to coordinate consecutive appointments for families with several children.

GuidanceNewsCompassSchool
will be hosting an Open House on Oct. 22. from 12-4 p.m.. Please call Compass
with any questions (802) 463-2525. HanoverHigh School will be
hosting a Sending School Visit Day on Dec. 2. at 6:30 p.m.. This is an
informational session for all incoming 8th grade students and their parents who
are considering attending Hanover High next year. There will be a student led
tour beginning at 6:15p.m.. The student Panel and Information Session will
begin at 7:15p.m.. If your student is interested in shadowing at HanoverHigh School, please see Mrs. Sprague to
get a form to fill out and send to their guidance department.

Weathersfield Proctor Library

At their monthly meeting Oct. 15, the
Board of Trustees welcomed the new Library Director, Mark Richardson. Mr.
Richardson spent his youth in BellowsFalls and is excited to
return to the area. In 2014, through the Veteran Retraining Program, he was
able to earn his Associates of Applied Science degree as a Library Technician.
This gave him the opportunity to pursue his lifelong passion of working with
books. In August, Mr. Richardson completed a Master’s Degree in Library Science
from ClarionUniversity. He also holds a Master’s in
Divinity and Theology from Bangor Theological Seminary in addition to a Bachelor
of Arts degree from Vermont College of Norwich University. Stop by and say
"Hello" to Mark. Mark has only been on the job a few days but has
been taking suggestions from patrons. He will be implementing new hours on
Wednesdays. The Library will now be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (two hours
later in the evening.)

Notice of Office closure:

Town Clerk's Office-Nov. 18 and 19 for the New EnglandCities
and Town Clerk's Association Conference.

Town Calendar of Events:

Reading Old Time Ball and DinnerReadingTown Hall Saturday, Oct. 24. Turkey
supper with all the fixins; two seatings at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Dancing to
the music of "The Reverbs" will be from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Supper only $12.00; Dance only $10.00; Combo tickets $20.00. Tickets are
on sale at the Reading Town Office, Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Benefits
Reading Fire Auxiliary.

WeathersfieldSchool Fall Sports Banquets The annual fall
sports banquets will be held Oct. 27 for grades K-4 and Oct. 28 for grades 5-8
and the Girls Soccer Team, Grades 4-6 Both banquets are from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in
the A.P. room.

Ongoing:

Valley Court Diversion Programs-Volunteer are needed in Weathersfield/Springfield
areas to work with low level offenders in the community. The organization
embraces the principles of restorative justice. As a volunteer, you will hear
participant's stories and help create a restorative contract with them. The
group meets once a month at the Springfield Police Department, your commitment
will require about 3 hours a month. Training is provided. For more information
please visit our website at www.vcdp.org or
call Maureen at 802-295-5078
#10.

Food Shelf The Weathersfield Food Shelf is located at 7303 Route
131 - the former "World of Discovery" daycare. Thanks to the
generosity of their donors, the Weathersfield Food Shelf will now be open every
Thursday from 4-5 p.m.

Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney-FREE sponsored by RSPV- Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin
Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney,
VT. Classes are led by Geraldine
Rudenfeldt. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.

Volunteers in Action (VIA) is looking for volunteer drivers. VIA is
an organization that drives people to doctor's appointments, usually at Mt.AscutneyHospital or DHMC and
occasionally grocery missions. Your mileage is reimbursable. Please
call VIA at (802) 674-5971 ask for Martha or Scottie.

The Weir is being presented by Hartland Community Arts for
three more shows on Oct. 23, 24 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 25 at 3 p.m.. The play was
written by Conor McPherson and takes place in a rural Irish Pub. For those who
have traveled to Ireland and enjoyed some time in a local Pub you will be
completely transported back to your visit to this wonderful place where
"All the World is a Stage."
The Irish have an incredible gift for storytelling (see the Blarney
Stone and its history.) And this play gives the viewer a glimpse into some very
interesting tales.

Each character presents, to their pub mates and the
audience, something that happened to them. Is it just or story of the
supernatural or did it really happen-the viewer is asked to be the judge.

The 90 minute play, directed by RJ Crowley and produced by
Kim Gibbs, will take you from Damon Hall in HartlandVt. to a close knit town in Ireland, not unlike Hartland
itself, where you are invited into these five people's lives.

Hikes exploring the parks in and around Woodstock included: Mt
Peg Landscape History Walk with local historian Bob Holt; Mt Tom Hike with a
National Park or Green Mt. Club naturalist to hike the historic Faulkner Trail
to SouthPeak;
Peak to Peak Challenge
hiking to the summits of both Mt.Tom and Mt.
Peg; Yoga Hike with yoga warm-up at the Mt. Peg trailhead,
participants will use yoga techniques during the hike in order to deepen their
mindful experience of the natural world; Forested Ecology Hike with Vermont
Institute of Natural Science Executive Director, Charlie Rattigan exploring the
ecology of Mt. Peg and Fall Photography hike up Mt. Tom with ArtisTree.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

The air is crisp, the trees are
exploding with color, I'm planting garlic, it must be Fall in Vermont. I've harvested my winter squash.
I'm getting ready to wash and dry it before bringing it downstairs to store for
the winter (I feel like a chipmunk!) The last of the tomatoes are being picked
and the vines are heading to the compost pile. We still have a ton of peppers
so every time the weather prognosticators hint at frost, we're covering them
up. Sure we can freeze them but they taste so much better fresh. One question
for you folks-are you going to celebrate next Wednesday, October 21? Celebrate
what you ask-well, "Back to the Future" Day of course. In 1985 we
were introduced to one very cool car-a time machine in the shape of a DeLorean.
"Great Scott!" what a movie trilogy. Search the internet for more information-what
did the movie predict 30 years ago that came true and what didn't. And be sure
to check out the fashions-are we traveling back to the past?

Oh the Colors!

What a week I had last week.

I traveled to Barre to cover Matt Dunne announcing his run for Vermont Governor.

Town Manager Search Committee-Mike Todd, chair of the Committee
reported that there are 45 applications for the position. The committee will
conduct preliminary interviews and then forward 3-6 candidates to the Select
Board. Land Use Administrator
Appointment-Mr. Todd, also chair of the Planning Commission, said that the
Commission recommended by unanimous vote the appointment of David (Scott) Osgood
as the next zoning administrator. Mr. Osgood is a professional civil engineer
with strong planning experience and good public interaction skills. He is
working part time in Enfield, NH
and resides in Henniker, NH. The Select Board approved Osgood for a three
year term. Fire Department Update-The
Fire Commission recommends that the Town hire a consultant trained in fire
services to conduct the study and analysis of the Weathersfield fire services. Mrs.
Lynn Esty reported that the fire departments are frustrated with being asked to
provide reports to the Select Board, and then having the Board fail to read
them or acknowledge receipt of them. The Board decided to hire a consultant to study Weathersfield's
Fire Services. Town Manager Mullen suggested contacting the State Fire Services
Chief for recommendations of a suitable consultant. Mullen also reported that the
VLCT had supplied Mr. Mullen with the names of towns that had recently
conducted this type of study.

WeathersfieldSchool News:

Electronic Devises Allowed On Buses with Conditions-Electronic
devices may be used by students who ride the bus if they wear ear plugs to play
music and shut the volume off for handheld games. The school and the bus
company have decided that this is a fair change in rules. Students may not take
pictures, take video, or post anything to Social Media while riding on the bus.
If you have questions, please call Principal Oakman at 674- 5400. Special
thanks to Student Transportation of America for working with the school in making
this change in the name of children.

Notice of Office closure:

Town Clerk's Office-Nov. 18 and 19 for the New EnglandCities
and Town Clerk's Association Conference.

Town Calendar of Events:

Organ/Trumpet Concert and Picnic in the Park, Brownsville
Sunday, Oct. 18 4 p.m. BrownsvilleCommunityChurch
will sponsor the third of a series of four free concerts open to the public. Picnic
attendees are asked to bring their own beverage and a salad or dessert to
share. The BrownsvilleCommunityChurch
will be grilling hot dogs and burgers. In the event of rain, the picnic
will be in the Church dining room. The concert will feature treasured works
from Bach, Reger, Handel, Telemann and more performed by Christian Huebner on
the organ and Skip Downing on trumpet.

Reading Old Time Ball and DinnerReadingTown Hall Saturday, Oct. 24. Turkey
supper with all the fixins; two seatings at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Dancing to
the music of "The Reverbs" will be from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Supper only $12.00; Dance only $10.00; Combo tickets $20.00. Tickets are
on sale at the Reading Town Office, Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Benefits
Reading Fire Auxiliary.

WeathersfieldSchool Fall Sports Banquets The annual fall
sports banquets will be held Oct. 27 for grades K-4 and Oct. 28 for grades 5-8
and the Girls Soccer Team, Grades 4-6 Both banquets are from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in
the A.P. room.

Ongoing:

Valley Court Diversion Programs-Volunteer are needed in Weathersfield/Springfield
areas to work with low level offenders in the community. The organization
embraces the principles of restorative justice. As a volunteer, you will hear
participant's stories and help create a restorative contract with them. The
group meets once a month at the Springfield Police Department, your commitment
will require about 3 hours a month. Training is provided. For more information
please visit our website at www.vcdp.org or
call Maureen at 802-295-5078
#10.

Food Shelf The Weathersfield Food Shelf is located at 7303 Route
131 - the former "World of Discovery" daycare. Thanks to the
generosity of their donors, the Weathersfield Food Shelf will now be open every
Thursday from 4-5 p.m.

Senior Exercise Program in Ascutney-FREE sponsored by RSPV- Wednesdays 10-11 a.m. in basement of Martin
Memorial Hall, Route 5, Ascutney,
VT. Classes are led by Geraldine
Rudenfeldt. If interested call 674-5254 for more information.

Volunteers in Action (VIA) is looking for volunteer drivers. VIA is
an organization that drives people to doctor's appointments, usually at Mt.AscutneyHospital or DHMC and
occasionally grocery missions. Your mileage is reimbursable. Please
call VIA at (802) 674-5971 ask for Martha or Scottie.